mbulelo smpofu
Midlands Bureau
MIDLANDS Province has surpassed its Pfumvudza/Intwasa target of one million plots, with farmers anticipating a good harvest from the predicted normal to above-normal rainfall this summer cropping season.
Speaking during the tour of Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots by farmers in Lower Gweru yesterday, Chief Director of Agricultural Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas), Mr Leonard Munamati, said the programme was increasingly gaining buy-in from farmers in Midlands Province.
“Midlands Province has surpassed its Pfumvudza/Intwasa target of one million plots, with farmers anticipating a good harvest from the predicted normal to above normal rainfall this summer cropping season,” he said.
Mr Munamati said the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme guarantees household food self-sustenance.
“Currently, we have disbursed more than 600 metric tonnes of maize seed to farmers, and basalt fertilizer and we are continuing with the disbursement from the GMB to various wards.
“As soon as farmers receive normal rains, they must start planting,” he said.
“We are working with the meteorology department. This is the farming season.”
Mr Munamati encouraged all the farmers to continue supporting Government programmes.
Coming from an El-Nino-induced drought farmers in Lower Gweru attribute their growing appetite to implement the climate-proof farming method to the timely distribution of inputs by the Second Republic.
Mr Emson Ncube said the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is giving them hope.
“We managed to get the seed on time as well as fertilisers. With the package coming on time we are expecting to harvest enough food for our families,” he said.
